SHAFIE Apdal’s brother today denied that investigations into the alleged embezzlement of federal funds was political, saying that he anticipated his arrest because of his family ties to the former minister who was in charge of the money.

“I have expected this and understand why MACC had called me in. I understand, because my relationship (with Shafie) is family,” said Yusof Apdal.

“No, no. The investigation is not politically motivated. I am an Umno leader. If it was political, I could have easily been excluded from the probe,” he told The Malaysian Insight, today.

Yusof was remanded for six days to facilitate a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigation into the alleged embezzlement of RM1.5 billion of federal funds meant for rural projects in Sabah between 2009 and 2015, a period that corresponded with Shafie’s tenure as the minister in charge.

Yusof was arrested on October 17 and released two days ago. He is now hospitalised because of haemorrhoids, and says he may undergo surgery soon.  

He said Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigators did not mistreat him, and followed all procedures. 

“The only thing that was quite stressful was staying in the lock-up,” he said in jest.

Asked whether he would join Warisan, Yusof said he had been approached by the party, but maintained he will remain in Umno and reiterated his loyalty to the party president Najib Razak.

The Lahad Datu assemblyman said he felt that he was in a difficult position in Umno now that Shafie was with the opposition.

“But… family is still family. Shafie respects my decisions and I respect his. 

“It is my decision to remain loyal to Umno, and it is my hope that Umno will still run this country and Sabah.”

Yusof is one of 13 people hauled up in the widening corruption probe. Shafie, who is former rural and regional development minister, was arrested on October 19 and is expected to be freed from remand on Friday.

MACC  deputy commissioner for operations Azam Baki had said the RM1.5 billion was allegedly diverted from the RM7.5 billion allocated to Sabah  for water and electricity supply projects. – October 25, 2017.